In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Donna Francis, an award-winning Beauty Editor with over 25 years of experience in the industry, having worked with magazines such as InStyle, Company, and Cosmo/Fabulous. Now Beauty Editor At Large at Hello! Magazine, Donna shares her personal experience with perimenopause, opening up about the profound impact it had on her life. She discusses the pressures around alcohol in midlife, how exercise became her mental health saviour, and how addressing her wellbeing helped her regain a sense of self during this challenging time. Now over six months sober, Donna is passionate about supporting women facing similar struggles and is on a mission to rebrand menopause as meno-power!

To learn more about Donna, visit her Instagram: here and check out her podcast, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, here.

We hope you're loving the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform.

Email dlnpodcast@borkowski.co.uk if you have any suggestions for new guests!

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Content advisory: This episode contains themes that some listeners may find distressing.

Kicking off a brand-new series, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Gina Miller, founder of MoneyShe, co-founder of SCM Direct, who famously took the government to court over Brexit, for a powerful conversation about standing up for yourself, supporting others, and the financial struggles faced by menopausal women.

Gina shares what fuels her determination, the values instilled in her from childhood, and her experiences challenging injustice – whether in politics, finance, or education. She speaks candidly about the backlash she has faced, the importance of resilience, and why she refuses to stay silent in the face of inequality.

Together, Louise and Gina explore why women are often judged more harshly than men, how curiosity and questioning the status quo are essential for progress, and why empowering women is crucial for a fairer society. This inspiring discussion highlights the need for systemic change and the importance of speaking out—even when it’s difficult.

To learn more about the research and insights on closing the gender investment and pension gap discussed in this episode, visit: MoneyShe.com Available to watch on YouTube

A very exciting preview of what's to come in the new series of The Dr Louise Newson Podcast.

Available to watch on YouTube

Advisory: this episode contains themes of suicide and topics which listeners may find upsetting.

In this week’s podcast Dr Louise Newson is joined by Lisa, who shares her deeply personal and challenging journey through perimenopause, mental health struggles, and the impact of her experiences on her family.

Lisa discusses the devastating effects of her mental health decline, which led to a crisis point and ultimately a prison sentence for attempted murder. She also reflects on her time in prison, the realisations she had about her health, and the transformative impact of HRT on her recovery.

The conversation also delves into the impact of hormonal changes on women's mental health and the often-overlooked connection between hormonal imbalances and criminal behaviour. Dr Louise and Lisa also discuss the importance of education around hormonal health, especially during perimenopause and menopause, to prevent tragic outcomes such as suicide and criminal behaviour.

Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

This week, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Professor Cassandra Szoeke, academic professor, general physician, consultant neurologist and multi-award-winning clinical researcher and author. As principal investigator of the Women’s Healthy Ageing Project, the longest study of women’s health in Australia, she authored the book Secrets of Women’s Healthy Ageing and has several hundred published articles in academic journals.

This week's episode explores the topic of healthy ageing, including the connection between inflammation and chronic diseases, the importance of physical activity, mental health, and the role of nutrition and gut health in inflammation. Dr Newson and Professor Szoeke also emphasise the need for a holistic approach to healthcare and the importance of prevention.

Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

Content advisory: this episode discusses themes of suicide and sexual assault.

In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Christiane Gurner, who shares her story of endometriosis and PMDD, highlighting the challenges many women face in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. Christiane also shares her experiences of IVF and menopause at the age of 42.

The conversation also covers the importance of listening to patients, individualising care and access to the right treatment, as well as the impact of hormone-related conditions on mental health.

Christiane has written about her IVF experiences in the Sydney Morning Herald here (subscription required) and here, and menopause at 42 here. She can be contacted via email at christianewrites@outlook.com.

Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson talks to Professor Mike Kirby, president of the British Society for Sexual Medicine and author of more than 450 clinical papers and 32 books. He was previously director of the Hertfordshire Primary Care Research Network, visiting professor to the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire, and was attending physician to the Prostate Centre, London, where he dealt with complex medical problems until 2020.

Dr Newson and Professor Kirby discuss the importance of hormone health for both men and women, including testosterone. They also explore the benefits of phosphodiesterase inhibitors – which include Viagra – in treating not only erectile dysfunction, but their potential to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, urinary symptoms, dementia, and even cancer.

Professor Kirby is one of the speakers at the upcoming Newson Conference: The Hormone Blueprint, which will be held in London on 21 March. An event for healthcare professionals, the conference will delve into the far-reaching impact of hormones on the body. For more information and to book your place, click here.

Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

Content advisory: this episode includes themes of mental health and suicide

In this week’s podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Rachel Jones to delve into the critical role hormones, particularly progesterone, play in women's mental health. They discuss the importance of understanding hormonal changes throughout a woman's life, the differences between natural and synthetic hormones, and the need for individualised treatment plans.

The conversation emphasises the significance of balancing hormones and considering lifestyle factors that impact mental health. Dr Louise and Dr Rachel share insights on how natural progesterone can help with mental health symptoms, including mood and anxiety, and encourage women not to give up on finding the right hormonal balance for them.

Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

Find out more about Dr Rachel on Instagram @the_hormone_clinic

Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.